Q: What is the precedent for a president to have so many special advisers (czars)?
A: Previous presidents, even Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, appointed "czars," which are not subject to Senate confirmation or congressional oversight, according to CNN.
The number of "czars," which is not an official title, range from 18 to 30, depending on the news organization tallying the positions. Past presidents have used special advisers on topics from energy to drugs.
The Obama administration has appointed "czars" on everything from health care to executive pay to technology. The number of "czars" has been criticized by some due to the lack of oversight, among other factors. The recent resignation of "green jobs czar" Van Jones has focused additional attention on the positions.
Q: Who pays the salary, health care and retirement benefits of President Obama's "czars" in the White House?
A: The Associated Press reports that special advisers to the president are federal employees whose salaries are paid by the government.
Salaries published by news organizations show the pay reaching into the mid- to high-$100,000s for some of the positions.
Q: When the swine flu first appeared as a threat, a Georgia politician criticized the Obama administration for allocating money for the development of a vaccine. Who was this?
A: Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said in May he doesn't think the H1N1 vaccine is needed, and funds instead could go toward defense spending. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) said the $2 billion in funding could be used to purchase F-22 Raptor fighter jets. Broun and Gingrey are doctors.
Q: Which companies will be licensed to manufacturer the H1N1 vaccine that will be administered in the United States?
A: The FDA has approved CSL Ltd. of Australia, Maryland-based MedImmune LLC, Novartis Vaccines of Switzerland and Sanofi Pasteur of France (the flu shots are produced at its factory in Swiftwater, Pa.), according to the Associated Press. The AP reported that London-based GlaxoSmithKline also was expected to supply the vaccine.
Q: A recent article about dogfighting in Talbot County, Georgia, made me wonder: Why would an investigative firm in Atlanta be staking out a dogfighting operation in Talbot County? Who paid the firm for their effort?
A: The investigation by Atlanta-based Norred & Associates was paid by the privately held firm owned by Greg Norred. The firm has investigated dogfighting for about two years, based on tips from citizens, investigator Chuck Simmons said.
Once the firm has confirmed a dogfighting operation, it takes the evidence to local law enforcement agencies. Its pro bono work has contributed to about a dozen raids, Simmons said. The Talbot County case resulted in charges of 29 counts of cruelty to animals and five counts of dogfighting.
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